RiveraCruise

April  24, 2019
A week ago we (a family of four) were fortunate enough to visit Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) for a third straight year.  And for a third straight year, we hired Leo Brown to be our private driver.  Three years ago, we looked into booking a tour through the ship's excursion office.  Now, there's nothing wrong with booking an excursion through RC but we wanted more.  What we got was a lot more.
We decided to research a few months before on how to hire a private driver.  We found  Leo Brown on the internet.  He was recommended by previous travelers.  We called him up and hired him for the day.  The idea was that we would pay him the same amount that RC was going to charge us for their excursion. However, hiring Leo Brown has more benefits:
a)  You are helping the economy directly.  All money you spend is going into local's pockets. Booking an excursion means that RC gets a percentage.
b)  More time on the island.  The RC excursion will bring you back to the ship hours before it's set to sail.  With a private driver, you get more time on the island for the same amount of money.
c) You choose where you want to go.  If the kid's wanted to go snorkeling, Leo Brown would take us to a great beach... if the kid's wanted big waves, Leo Brown would take us to another beach... when we got hungry, Leo Brown took us to the French side for delicious food cooked in a local and authentic island restaurant... Want amazing views for the family picture?, Leo Brown will drive you to one of the highest parts on the island so you can take that picture. 
d) Leo Brown is proud.  The first time we met Leo Brown, he drove us around the entire island (Dutch and French side).  He is a proud lifelong resident of Sint Maarten and it shows.  Needless to say, we also learned quite a bit about the island through Leo.
e) If you hire Leo Brown, you are it.  No mini-bus filled with other passengers going to the same place where you will then have to wait in line and keep your eyes on the time in order to get back in line to board the mini-bus and get shuttled back to the ship. With Leo Brown, you are on "YOUR TIME".  You tell Leo Brown what time the ship leaves, and he will have you back.
Like I said before, this is our third straight year visiting Sint Maarten and hiring Leo Brown.  Unfortunately, our plans for next year do not take us back to this wonderful island.  However, if you are planning a trip to Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) via cruise ship or flying in, we HIGHLY recommend hiring Leo Brown.
Leo Brown: (721) 553-4290
note:  if you arrive by cruise ship, you will need to walk out of the cruise pier area to meet Leo Brown.  There is a taxi area inside the pier terminal but Leo will be waiting just outside.  You will see many passengers exiting here because it is a short distance to the town area.
 
The attached picture is Leo Brown and his wonderful wife and daughter along with myself and my two kids.

good to know... I'm on the same boat (literally) with 2 kids.  They still don't know they are going until we are at the dock.  They think we are just going to FLA from Massachusetts to get away from the cold during school vacation.  I booked this family trip Feb 2016.  Its been a long 13 months and these last 22 days seem like a lifetime... for me!!  Good to know they can board the minute they see the ship and not have to wait until 1:30.

good to know... I'm on the same boat (literally) with 2 kids.  They still don't know they are going until we are at the dock.  They think we are just going to FLA from Massachusetts to get away from the cold during school vacation.  I booked this family trip Feb 2016.  Its been a long 13 months and these last 22 days seem like a lifetime... for me!!  Good to know they can board the minute they see the ship and not have to wait until 1:30.

good to know... I'm on the same boat (literally) with 2 kids.  They still don't know they are going until we are at the dock.  They think we are just going to FLA from Massachusetts to get away from the cold during school vacation.  I booked this family trip Feb 2016.  Its been a long 13 months and these last 22 days seem like a lifetime... for me!!  Good to know they can board the minute they see the ship and not have to wait until 1:30.